CrossRoads Launches ‘Operation Appreciation’

Roger Barry, founder and CEO of Yogi Bear's Camp Resort at Barton Lake (left) and Don Emahiser, president of CrossRoads RV, stand in front of the Hampton destination trailer being provided free of charge for active military members and their families.

The program provides active members of the U.S. military and their family with free use of a Hampton destination trailer, which the company manufactures, for up to a week. Roger Barry, founder and CEO of the resort, donated the use of a seasonal lot.

“We wanted to do something special for U.S. service men and women to show our appreciation for their sacrifice, bravery, and hard work that ensure our freedom and American way of life,” explained CrossRoads President Don Emahiser. “While experiencing the great amenities of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort, they will enjoy luxury accommodations in our Hampton destination trailer that includes a spacious living area, fully equipped kitchen, master bedroom, kid’s bunk room, and full bath.”

Both Emaheiser and Barry were on-site at the park in northeastern Indiana Thursday to welcome the unit’s current vacationers, Robert and Kim Ross and their family. A staff sergeant in the Army Reserve, Robert looked forward to spending the week with his family before being deployed to the Middle East next month.

The Robert Ross family

In addition to helping to set up the lot use at Barry’s bucolic resort, CrossRoads RV involved a number of its suppliers in the project, including Crane Composites, Dicor Corp., Dometic, Middlebury Hardwood Products, LaSalle Bristol, Lionshead Tire & Wheel, Lippert Components, Sharpline, Shaw Floors and Yellow Dog Extrusion. Several other companies, including Alpha Graphics, Martin Marketing and Lithotone assisted CrossRoads in promoting the program.

For Barry, providing the use of the lot was just one of several programs the park sponsors to recognize the nation’s military. The award-winning resort also holds a number of special celebrations for service men and women throughout the year, including “Yogi Bear Honors Our Heroes” and “Patriotic Week.” The 60-acre park, located 50 miles north of Fort Wayne, offers amenities and activities for all ages including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, water zone, boat rentals, a beach, miniature golf, playground facilities, basketball, volleyball, horseshoe pits and more.

According to CrossRoads Marketing Director Dave Boggs, reservations for the Hampton destination trailer are quickly filling up but a number of openings still exist. Any active member of the U.S. military wanting to make reservations should contact Boggs at oa@crossroadsrv.com or by calling (888) 226-7496. Reservations must be made in advance with availability on a first-come, first-serve basis.